∞ 95: A quaint birthday [action]

[chikaidestroyer]

[An early birthday dinner. That was what Albert had proposed, knowing it was likely Caesar would want to nap as soon as he was full. And so, with Caesar's Luceti birthday having arrived, there were light preparations for a quiet celebration. After all, Silverbergs were intensely private as it was, so there would be no invited guests unless Caesar himself decided to invite them.]

Comments

[mydearapple.livejournal.com]

You say that like I don't already know it. [And boy does he know it. Sigh.] But I guess I'm glad you put up with me. Or... I'm really glad you do.

[chikaidestroyer]

Someone has to. Otherwise I'm afraid you will be cursed upon Miss Apple for the rest of her life.

[mydearapple.livejournal.com]

Why is that a bad thing for her? I believe that it is Miss Apple who has been cursed upon me!

[chikaidestroyer]

And you think you would have found yourself a better mentor with your poor showing of discipline?

[mydearapple.livejournal.com]

Who said anything about a better mentor? I shouldn't need a mentor at all. And besides, is it really so difficult to find one that doesn't resort to physical abuse?

[Or that isn't really old and boring? ...well, probably.]

[chikaidestroyer]

[Albert raises a brow at the comment about not needing a mentor. Does he really need to say anything to that? It wasn't as if Caesar always had his head in a book.]

[mydearapple.livejournal.com]

[Caesar sticks another piece of cheesecake in his mouth when he catches a glimpse of his brother's expression. ...no surprise there.]

Like I said. I shouldn't need one. And anyway, she should consider herself lucky to to be tutoring a Silverberg!

[chikaidestroyer]

Yes, I am sure she would have chosen you as the ideal traveling companion and heir to her knowledge of Mathiu.

[mydearapple.livejournal.com]

I can't imagine why else she would bother.

[chikaidestroyer]

She could have gone on and found someone else entirely more appreciative of her efforts.

[mydearapple.livejournal.com]

I never said I didn't appreciate it. I just don't understand why she does it.

[chikaidestroyer]

Were you in fact so full of yourself that you did not ask?

[mydearapple.livejournal.com]

Th-that's not it... I never thought about it before. She was always so busy telling me what to do, so I never wondered why. [In other words, he was too busy being annoyed over how strict she was to think about why she did it.] Anyway, I don't think she'd give me a straight answer even if I did ask!

[chikaidestroyer]

It might have something to do with your normal tone of voice.

[mydearapple.livejournal.com]

I don't know what you're talking about. There's nothing wrong with my normal tone of voice. [He says this casually as he goes for another bite.] You must be imagining things.

[chikaidestroyer]

I suppose I also imagined that I actually had a birthday gift to give you. My poor mind must be slipping away.

[mydearapple.livejournal.com]

[...

Caesar lets the fork hang from his mouth for a moment as he gives his brother a look. Is he serious...?]

W-well... I suppose there must be some truth to the things you're imagining.

[chikaidestroyer]

No, no, I must have been imagining it. Why in the world would I get you a gift?

[For his part, Albert is doing very well with that poker face of his.]

[mydearapple.livejournal.com]

Because... it's my birthday and you're the most wonderful big brother in the world?

[Isn't that what people like to hear?]

[chikaidestroyer]

That cannot possibly be right. That does not sound like me at all.

[mydearapple.livejournal.com]

[He shrugs.]

I'd say it's not that far from the truth.

[And he means this one!]

[chikaidestroyer]

[Albert snorts, glancing at Caesar in amusement.]

Fine. I suppose you deserve something, even if you have much more growing to do.

[He stands, moving to leave the room. He'll be back shortly, really.]

[mydearapple.livejournal.com]

What does that have to do with anything? [...because more likely than not, that was another height joke. He moves the plate with the rest of the cheesecake onto the bed and leans down to pet Kogoro. He's watching his brother, though, not the dog, so he might miss him.] You'd better not leave me hanging, okay?

[It's a gift—a birthday gift—and he can't pretend that he isn't eager to see what it is.]

[chikaidestroyer]

[And just like any good brother, Albert completely ignores Caesar's questions as he leaves. When he returns, it's with a simple little gift box. He doesn't give it to Caesar just yet.]

What was that about leaving you hanging?

[mydearapple.livejournal.com]

Nevermind. [He's back now, so it doesn't matter.] No one said anything about gifts.